Information on Spotted Seatrout FMP Amendment 1
A review of the Spotted Seatrout FMP is underway. Results of the 2022 benchmark stock assessment indicate the stock is not overfished however it is experiencing overfishing. The Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Amendment 1 is under development to address overfishing in the fishery. The division is requesting stakeholders share their expertise on the spotted seatrout fishery to inform development of Amendment 1.
For questions, contact Lucas Pensinger, Lucas.Pensinger@deq.nc.gov or Melinda Lambert, Melinda.Lambert@deq.nc.gov.
The N.C. Division of Marine fisheries will be holding the Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Advisory Committee Workshop April 22-24 at the NC Cooperative Extension at 300 Industrial Drive in New Bern.
The workshop consists of the fishery management plan advisory committee and division plan development team working together to refine draft Amendment 1. The advisory committee will assist by providing input for consideration to refine management options in the draft amendment. Workshop-style meetings allow scientists, managers, and stakeholders on the committee to address questions, comments, and concerns more effectively and in a less formal setting.
The workshop is open to the public, but public comment will not be held. The public is welcome to speak with staff and advisory committee members during breaks.
Workshop materials:
Base Plan
Small Mesh Gill Net Information Paper
Sustainable Harvest Issue Paper
Supplemental Management Issue Paper
Cold Stun Management Issue Paper
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries held a public scoping period to receive public input on potential management strategies. The primary management strategy for Amendment 1 is maintain a self-sustaining population that provides sustainable harvest in the spotted seatrout fishery. A scoping document outlining the potential management strategies was developed for the public. Fisheries stakeholders provided comments throughout the scoping period.
The 2022 benchmark stock assessment for spotted seatrout determined the stock is not overfished however overfishing is occurring. A reduction in total removals between 14.6-39.6% is needed to end overfishing within two years.